Review of The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) by Calvin C — 04 Jul 2011

Best Picture Winner for1946 and 7 Academy Awards, this has to be the most honest depiction of the aftermath of war. As WWII ends, the story follows three soldiers readjusting to life after years away. One comes back to a family that has changed, another to a failing marriage, and the last dealing with his new disability which has left him with hooks as hands. There is an unglamorous look to the picture and the raw emotion and dramatic scenes are believable and heartbreaking. Harold Russell, who was a real war veteran who lost his hands during the war, proves that he earned that Best Supporting Actor Oscar. What is on screen is not acting and that goes for the entire cast. At almost three hours, the movie flies by thanks to the engaging storylines and vivid characters. Nothing is sugarcoated and as I suspect for a film that came out in a time when all the war films were upbeat and patriotic, this was a change of scenery for most moviegoers. This is timeless picture that can be relatable to any war, past or present. The war may be over, but the battle is just beginning.

Grade: A+.